Guardiola plays down European chances

Reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League would be enough for Manchester City this season, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

City are closing in on the Premier League title after dominating in England this season - they are currently 16 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United - while they are also still in the FA Cup and will contest the Carabao Cup final later this month.

Talk of a quadruple continues to rumble but Guardiola is not sure his side are ready to win the Champions League and would be happy if they manage to do better than last season when they were knocked out in the last-16 by Monaco.

"I don't know. I don't know if we are ready or not," Guardiola responded when asked if his team could challenge for the Champions League this year.

"I have full confidence in the guys, there is no doubt about that. They know it. But the competition is special so I don't know.

"Our target is to do better than last season which is to go into the quarter-final, so that will be enough for the short-term.

"We did better this season than last season, we cannot deny. But this competition is so special in my experience. The teams are so clinical and you have to control the bad moments."

Manchester City's Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against FC Basel at St Jakob Park on Tuesday, 13 February is live on eir Sport 2 [kick off 7.45pm]. Pep Guardiola's side then face League One high-fliers Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday, 19 February, live on eir Sport 1 [kick off 8.05pm].

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